IT leaders now need to identify and exploit technology to enable new business opportunities
This is an exclusive interview series conducted by the Editor Team of CIO News with Sachin Kawalkar, CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) and Global Head Information Security, Cyber Security Quality at Neeyamo.
How did you plan your career path to be a successful technology leader?
Sachin has started his career in information technology with a specialization and expertise in information security over two decades now. Which was possible with constant learning, various technology trainings and certifications, on job experience, which helped expertise in information technology and security, and a robust educational background, including various industry certifications. To scale up the technology leader, the role needs to be looked at holistically with a multi-faceted dimension to become more versatile in influencing the teams and leading the change in the organization with the latest tools and technology. Sachin has a good network with tech leaders to gain insight into leadership in the tech industry as he participates actively in various domestic and international security conferences and forums.
What challenges did you face in your career path, and how did you overcome them?
Technology is ever evolving; the sheer pace of technology innovation is making it difficult to keep up and overcome challenges. I have adopted a proactive thinking approach, and the second is to be updated every day with the latest tools and technology. I make sure I am constantly trained to derive value from security technology investments. I encourage innovation and experimental thinking, which is an important step toward becoming a tech leader, and as a leader, I inspire others to reach their own goals.
What are the challenges faced by technology leaders today while implementing digital technologies?
The risks increase and incidents come with rapid adoption of digital technologies and IoT. The world increasingly embraces the digital direction, especially since the onset of the pandemic. The biggest lesson from all this as a technology leader is that we look at the issue of IT, especially security and hygiene, as a zero-tolerance issue, which will help digital transformation service providers become ready for their cybersecurity ammo faster than ever.
How can technology leaders overcome the challenges faced?
For any technology leader to run a secure and resilient, efficient digital and hybrid business, catering to the business and client needs is imperative. Therefore, it’s a must for the tech leads to look into, evaluate best-of-breed tools and technology, flexibilize, and enhance their existing infrastructure that might not be well equipped to cater to the post-pandemic risks and requirements. As digital transformation is ahead for every IT leader. And resilience is important; the only way to thrive in this turbulence is by accepting the new age of tech-driven processes, automations, enhanced digital and data infrastructure, smart cyber risk solutions, cloud migrations, and bridging skill set gaps, he further added.
Any best practices, industry trends, or advice you would like to suggest to fellow technology leaders for their successful professional journeys?
IT leaders with strategic planning can efficiently overcome current challenges while leading the way towards a successful business transformation. Adoption of modern technologies (AI/ML) can deliver a working solution much earlier in the cycle and facilitate continuous improvement. Collaboration with top vendors will be valuable to knowing the real stats of risk scores.
Any other points that you would like to highlight?
IT leaders now need to identify and exploit technology to enable new business opportunities, whether it’s machine learning, IoT, the Internet of Things, data and analytics, cybersecurity advancements, upscaling resources, training, and learning. IT leaders should have a realistic view of how achievable a goal or initiative is, how impactful it will be on the business, and how to integrate it with the rest of the portfolio (risk that is appropriate to the enterprise) and environment.
About Sachin Kawalkar
Sachin Kawalkar, the most awarded winning leader/CISO and global speaker, has over 21+ years of rich experience in cyber security, information security, cloud migration, various technology risk assessments and frameworks, and large team management. Sachin is a visionary who translates evolving risks into ambitious technology roadmaps and robust information security programs. Excels at synergizing people, processes, and technology around proactive defence. Continually sharpen the company’s security maturity, aligning solutions with cybersecurity frameworks. Sachin has defined and implemented an enterprise IT security function to meet the needs of a business, which is experienced as a business enabler to ensure the accomplishment of revenue objectives while maintaining compliances and enterprise-level risk.
His role includes:
- Security and resilience (to enhance information security and cyber security capabilities). Cyber innovation, labs, governance (to position the organization as a leader in cyber security), and
- Leadership and collaboration (to work to shape the international cyber security environment)
- Enabling a framework for risk-free and scalable business operations in the challenging business landscape
Also read: Achieving Rapid Outcomes with AI-Driven Cloud Analytics
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